(CNN) – Last year William Turner lost his job with a religious non-profit organization. That was the impetus for him to pursue a longheld dream: owning his own restaurant. Turner's research led him to the creation of his food truck (and alter ego), The Blaxican, which serves up what he calls, "Mexican soul food."

Turner says he's aware that some people have strong reactions to his name and concept.

[2:33] "We live in a politically incorrect or correct society where we're so hypersensitive that even if we're not offended by something we think we should be offended by something. The Blaxican, it evokes an emotion, especially here in the south where race relationships for years have always been a hot-button for our society."

The son of a cook, Turner says that soul food is universal and in every culture there is cuisine that comes from the struggle to survive.

[3:32] "Soul food to me is food that is birthed out of struggle...Mexicans got soul food, it's called the tortilla. It's not a delicacy in Mexico. It's a piece of bread, but out of struggle they had to come up with ways to use that and frijoles and different things to try and feed their bellies."

From race relations to the history of the Philadelphia cheese steak, Turner's story goes far beyond his collard green quesadillas and jalapeno macaroni and cheese.

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I am Mexican, I don't mind him calling his unit Blaxican, because my wife used that word on herself. I though it was a witty remark. There are many Blaxicans out there. As far as I am concern, they are my brothers too. If this Black man can cook, I am in!

Actually, it is probably awesome...... until they shut him down just like they did in Metairie and New Orleans after rebuilding was well underway. There were several people who had nice clean trucks with awesome food and provided a great service to people trying to help rebuild.........until the city decided to shut them down. I never found out the real story but I assume local restaurants started complaining after people started moving back. Politics 101.

It seems funny to me that the "White" man turns something as meaningless as getting you back wet in crossing the Rio Grande into an insult. Somewhere the "White" man forgets he is human too. (Not all White are like that- thank "goodness")

There are Black Mexicans. Fact! Vera Cruz, Mexico, has a very large population with African roots. A very famous Jazz bass player, Abraham Laboriel, is from Mexico City. And even more popular than the word Blaxican, is the word Blatino, which is often used for many Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans. Latina America and the Caribbean have a very proud African lineage!

Most Hispanics don’t see themselves fitting into the standard racial categories used by the U.S. Census Bureau. When it comes to race, according to the Pew Hispanic survey, half (51%) of Latinos identify their race as “some other race” or volunteer “Hispanic/Latino.” Meanwhile, 36% identify their race as white, and 3% say their race is black.

This is what America is all about, having the freedom to create and make a living with an idea of his own. I hope he expands or writes a book, would like to get his recipes. Good luck and keep on truckin.

People, you're not playing the game! CNN wants you to be mad that this guy is using this seemingly non-PC term. You're not supposed to LIKE what he's doing. Where's the conflict in that? Without conflict, CNN has nothing to write about. Play the game right so the guys at CNN can keep their jobs.

My friend's husband is a Jewican I guess. I was talking to her and she mentioned Hispanic kids having scholarship benefits, and I said "You mean Hispanic kids like your children?". She didn't get what I was trying to say.

Why the hell you on here, then? You came all the way here, read the article, logged in, only to gripe about this not being news? Why the hell you on here, then? Take you griping elsewhere, Debbie Downer.

I guess I don't get the point of calling yourself mexican soul food. I can go anywhere and get a fish taco. Philly nacho's? I can think of 3 places I can walk to from here to get them. Sweet potato fries? Even Arby's has those. Best thing about the truck is the name. The food you can get anywhere else.

I heard Obama is going to regulate Salt consumption. Since it is bad for your health hence needs to be regulated. When will I have to sign a salt disclosure with several picture images of open heart surgery?

Speeding is dangerous and is regulated. Alcohol is regulated. Seatbelts are regulated. Heck, crossing the street is even regulated. The government regulates because people have proven over time they cannot regulate themselves. The sodium initiative is not an overreach by the government, it's to protect the people who by choice or otherwise cannot make a healthy decision. Obesity is out of control and we are suffering as a nation. We need to give up this front of incessant liberty and freedom because it's killing us.

Sounds like good stuff, I want to try this food.
Some of you racist white people are funny. If he was unemployed, you would be complaining how "you have to go to work to suport this lazy scrub"
Now that he opened his own business, some of you are complaining that his name is somehow atrocious. What a joke.

I'm totally in love with this guy. I'm a Latina and I love his idea, his passion, and his creativity. I think he's a fantastic role models for anyone who has struggled. He sounds very happy and very blessed and I wish him nothing but the best.

Wrong, wrong, wrong!!! He may not be black, but there are many black Mexicans. Furthermore, there are statues of black slaves who helped liberate Mexico. Shame how many people don't realize that North and South America were majorly influenced by black people. 15,000,000 brought to South America compared to 500,000 to North. Where do you think they would have more impact?

I think this is a great idea. I am Mexican-American and the name does not offend me at all, in fact I had a girlfriend couple years ago. who was in fact half- Black half-Mexican and she and I in fact used the same exact term, said she was "Blaxican" all the time. Good luck with your business.

Who cares if he is black or Mexican! This is an AWSOME example of two cultural foods coming together to satisfy something that every race has .. TASTE BUDS! Right on brotha! Do what you do and keep pushing to making your dream come true!

Great idea. This is the sort of thing that makes america a great country to live and do bussiness in. Forget the ignorance that some of these folks have posted here. Continue to keep keeping on. God bless you, and if I ever run across your food truck I would be glad to give the viddles a try.

The real story out there, that news media outlets, politicians, race activists and so on don't discuss is more difficult to discuss.

Its no secret in the African American community, that Mexicans, NOT Latino's in general, but specifically Mexican have strong and I mean very strong racist sentiments towards African Americans.

They have pushed out African Americans out of traditionally Black communities across the USA, but especially in California.

I have little time to expand on even more instances of racism towards African Americans by Mexicans.

But I will sum it up like this: within Mexican culture, there are racist tendencies that also extend out other NON-Mexican Latin American groups. Yes, Latino on Latino racism. And it comes directly from Mexican to whomever they think is not a Mexican.

I'm not making this up now, it does exist. Try it. Confront a Mexican person, born in Mexico or born here in the USA, ASK them about this racism. Then, see what they say. Most will try to deflect it and point out others racism, but never admitting to their own strong racism that exists in their CULTURE.

So, to me, when a Mexican group, under the guise of representing ALL LATINO'S, complains about any racism, I have to laugh incredulously. From what I've experienced, observed and heard first hand as they drop their guard in front of me thinking I'M Mexican, you'd be appalled, I'm taken aback by the utter hypocrisy of these complainers.

@Mexican Hypocrisy
Yes, thank you for pointing out that racism is endemic to all cultures. You fail to realize, however, that it is specific to individuals. Also, please learn how to use an apostrophe correctly. The plural of "Latino" is "Latinos".

MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS A BEAUTIFUL BLAXICAN. DON'T MAKE BROAD STATEMENTS ABOUT CONDITIONS OF YESTERYEAR. SOME AFRICAN AMERICANS AND SOME MEXICAN AMERICANS MAY HOLD ONTO STALE IDEAS AND BELIEFS BUT DON'T SPEAK FOR US ALL.

You are mis-informed. My paternal great-grandfather was a full blooded cherokee, dark skinned indian with coal black straight hair. I also have native american on the other grandfather's side. I am black.

Additionally, there are black american decendents from tribes in Oklahoma and others. Where do you get this nonsense information?? Does the term 'freedman' rolls mean anything to you? sheeesh.

Blacks are Indian and mexican? Are you serious??? do you know anything about American History. I didn't read anywhere that mexicans or indians where on any slave ships. Get your facts right before posting something that sounds good in your head... Not Smart!

Black people are from Africa, not from India, you dumbass. Mexicans are half (mixed in many degrees actually) Amerindians (native Americans). Indians can be as dark as a black person, but they are from India, not Africa.

You mean the road the truck is on; the cops' salaries who make sure he doesn't get robbed and hey even the truck itself whose factory has a whole infrastructure paid for and maintained by various federal, state, and local agencies. Well you knew that was coming too.

I'm not putting down the man's accomplishment, but starting a food truck should be a choice, not a retirement plan. It seems like a lot of good people are getting fired for the crime of turning 50 and nobody will hire them due to age. Society demands that they cash in their 401-K's and start their own businesses in order to have jobs at all. If you can't be a successful entrepreneur and you're over 50, you're expected to starve to death because "nobody needs you anymore".

How many racist scumbags does it take to bring back Jim Crow? While your confederate ancestors fought a civil war to undermine our democracy and maintain their shameful, oppressive and inhumane system of slavery, the Union fought back to defend and preserve our democracy. I find it f-ing appaling that you confederate scumbags are now strolling around America, wrapped not in the confederate flag but in the American flag calling yourselves patriots. F-you all!

Chitlins and mexican food?
Sounds like puerto rican. You they eat a lot of pig on that island, so what happens when you mix black culture and mexican culture is you get puerto rican. That's a head trip.